Are you building a house? Perhaps it’s a commercial building or even just a little shed.
Either way, there’s no insignificant project in construction when you really get down to it. It all involves a fair bit of time and resources, so you should take every step to guarantee its success.
Because we want your construction project to be successful, we’ve put together this list of the best construction companies in Dublin, some things you should know before hiring one, and the construction costs involved.
They are still growing, increasing their experience and expertise that covers other construction disciplines in both minor and major projects.
Construction Costs in Dublin
The price of construction costs isn’t fixed because it depends on several factors.
Is it residential? Commercial construction is more expensive than a residential build.
What’s the size? The bigger it is, the more expensive the cost will get.
Design also affects construction costs. The simpler the design, the cheaper it would be to build.
Factors like the above introduce quite a few variables into the pricing equation. As far as standard projects go, though, you will find the average range of construction costs per square meter below:
| Construction Type | Price Range |
| Residential – Semi-detached house | €1,100 – €1350 |
| Residential – Terraced house | €1,050 – €1,250 |
| Residential – Apartment | €2,000 – €2,700 |
| Residential – Student accommodation | €70,000 – €90,000 per unit |
| Commercial – City centre office | €3,000 – €3,500 |
| Commercial – Warehouse with no office | €750 – €850 |
| Commercial – Warehouse with 10% office | €950 – €1,100 |
| Commercial – School (third level) | €2,600 – €3,500 |
| Commercial – Covered shopping mall | €2,700 – €3,500 |
| Commercial – Primary care centres | €2,000 – €2,500 |
| Commercial – Hospitals | €3,500 – €5,000 |
| Commercial – Hotels (3-star) | €2,500 – €3,100 |
The Best Construction Companies in Dublin
Whom you hire to construct your project usually spells the difference between a favourable outcome and a disaster.
In our list, you will find some of the best construction companies in Dublin to whom you can entrust your project:
1. Stewart Construction
| SERVICES | Main contractor, public and private projects, design and build & finance, project management, design development, associated civil engineering works |
| WEBSITE | http://www.stewart.ie/ |
| ADDRESS | Orchard House, Beaumont Ave, Churchtown Upper, Dublin 14, D14 W3P8, Ireland |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +353 1 901 1290 [email protected] |
History reveals a lot about a construction company.
It tells you how much love, work and sacrifice has been invested in it by its owners. The longer the company’s existence, the greater the love, work and sacrifice invested.
Because of this, we know old companies like Stewart Construction won’t risk their reputation with half-baked jobs or unfinished projects. Why would they allow one bad project to destroy a reputation it took them years to build?
You see, Stewart Construction has been around a long time—119 years, to be exact.
Founded by James Stewart, this started with just a small general building business that later grew to a builder of houses, schools, churches and industrial buildings. They are now one of the top construction companies in Ireland.
We were surprised but pleased to find that although the company has already been incorporated, the Stewart family continues to own and manage the business.
Why does that matter? Because we often find that family-run businesses have a more flexible structure and a strong identity that tends to resonate with clients.
This seems to be the case with Stewart Construction as they have had hundreds of clients who went to them for their projects: Dublin airport, Beacon Hospital, Galway Golfclub, Omniplex Cinemas and Ulster Bank, to name a few.
Of course, you can’t just hand over a project to anyone based solely on trust. A construction company is a regulated field that needs specific accreditations.
It’s good that Stewart Construction has certificates of registration to show as proof that their systems have been checked by independent bodies and that these systems meet the standards.
The thing we like most about the company though, is their focus on building green structures that also meets BREEAM and LEED standards.
BREEAM and LEED are two accreditation programs used to assess, rate and certify the environmental sustainability of buildings. So that’s another assurance that’s been put on paper, so to speak.
Stewart Construction uses ethical and sustainable materials in their projects and designs the buildings in a way that is energy and water efficient and also saves tenants from expensive utility bills. That’s a big plus in our book.
Pros
- Family-owned
- Works on all sectors
- Public and private projects accepted
- Sustainable construction
- Safety, quality and environmental management systems certified
Cons
- Has only 2 branches
- Operating hours not on website
Customer Reviews
Listen to what their clients are saying about them:
“Very forward thinking and expanding company, with professional friendly staff. High values of quality and site safety” – Michael Trais-Martin, Google Reviews
“Stewart Construction completed our project on schedule, within budget and to the quality standards reflecting the high calibre of GRIFOLS Pharmaceutical’ – GRIFOLS Pharmaceutical, Managing Director
2. John Paul Construction
| SERVICES | Construction, infrastructure, fit-out and asset management, design build, finance, turnkey arrangements |
| WEBSITE | https://www.johnpaul.ie/ |
| ADDRESS | Dundrum Business Park, Dundrum Rd, Farranboley, Dublin, Ireland |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +353 1 215 6100 [email protected] |
John Paul Construction is another company with a long history in the construction business.
At 70 years old, JPC has serious experience in all sectors: commercial and retail, residential, pharmaceutical, educational, tourism and leisure.
But they don’t just do new builds. They also do refurbishment and restoration, which is one of the things we like about them.
Like them, we think old houses and buildings are worth saving. Not only is it more economical, it also preserves the history and aesthetic value of the structure, street and city where it is located.
You can take a look at some of the restoration projects on their website if you’re curious about those. There are some pretty interesting projects there!
Another thing that caught our attention is JPC’s approach to people and projects.
Sure, they’re the experts. But they also value and consider the input of their clients.
Based on what most of their clients told us, they will work hand in hand with you and address any snags until a positive outcome is reached.
This is a big deal when it comes to construction projects because it’s fairly normal for amendments and corrections to arise in a plan already being executed.
A good contractor knows how to listen to requests for such things while also exercising his expertise to figure out which requests or concerns are detrimental to the actual project.
As such, this is one of the main reasons we chose them for our list. Going from what their customers say, JPC knows exactly how to handle the communication and collaboration part of construction – enough so clients feel satisfied with both process and results.
JPC also doesn’t set just one way of engaging clients. They have different engagement options.
You can choose to get an Early Contractor Involvement so you can provide input on the design phase before hiring them. They also have traditional contracting, lump sum with employer design and othe contract procurement options that will suit their client’s delivery method.
This is a very large company, by the way, so it’s only to be expected that there’s a lot of administrative work required to run it. However, we have heard some reports of fairly high staff turnover at the place – which isn’t ideal, as you usually want to work with companies that keep their actual workers so as to hone their skills.
Pros
- Strong values and ethical practices
- Engagement options available
- Has branches in Europe and Middle East
Cons
- Not ideal for smaller projects
- Slightly concerning reports about high staff turnover
Customer Reviews
Read some of the testimonies of JPC’s previous clients below:
“Working with John Paul Construction on the revitalisation of the HATCH Cork Copley Street complex over the past 18 months has been an experience I don’t think any of us will forget. As with all construction projects there were trials and tribulations (mostly of our own making!) but Paul Fewer and Martin Looney (with some help from Tom and Martin O’ Donovan as well) somehow managed to keep it all on track. The finished project is without doubt beyond all our expectations and something I hope JPC are very proud of.
Throughout the process, from initial planning meetings to our final handover, JPC were professional, skilled and thorough. Paul, Martin and all their team brought their experience to every task and were quick to foresee any possible complications that could arise, always having a plan B (or C!) ready to go.
The rapid build timeline put immense pressure on us all, but we opened as scheduled in June 2019 and I don’t believe this would have been possible with another contractor.
I’m sure at times they found us demanding as clients however they were always open to ideas and worked hard to find a solution to any proposal we suggested.
I highly recommend John Paul Construction and look forward to working with them again in the future! – Emer Meehan, Operations Manager, Hatch, Website Review
“John Paul Construction and their team carried out the works in a collaborative and efficient manner ensuring that the fast-track schedule was achieved and the handover smooth and incident free. The complexity and density of the services required of a Quality Control Lab of this nature, made the coordination between the various disciplines crucial. The entire project was designed, coordinated, planned and installed using BIM Level 2. This approach provided an invaluable tool to the delivery team in early clash detection and avoidance and also ensured that the building successfully met and exceeded end-user requirements. In particular, their effective work planning, execution and efficient site operations ensured no disruption and downtime was encountered to the site QC, Manufacturing & Business Operations. We would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending John Paul Construction to any prospective Clients.” – Brian Minehane, Mgr. Project Management, Gilead Sciences Ireland UC
3. Tolmac Construction
| SERVICES | Residential development, public and private projects, conservation, repairs, refurbishments, alterations, fitouts, renovations |
| WEBSITE | https://www.tolmac.ie/ |
| ADDRESS | 6 Robinhood Rd, Robinhood, Clondalkin, Co. Dublin, D22 V602, Ireland |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +353 1 450 2418 [email protected] |
Like other construction companies, Tolmac Construction is a general building contractor that deals with refurbishments, design build, fitouts and the like. But what makes them stand out in our opinion is their residential development projects.
We think the designs of the homes are exceptional both in terms of aesthetics and function.
Looking closely, we’ve noticed that even the architraves, window boards and skirtings have been given the same importance as the other more noticeable parts of the house. They certainly have the attention-to-detail part covered!
Their residential projects also go beyond the “skin” and were built (some refurbished) with efficient heating systems compliant to nZEB, generous electric specs all throughout and if the space permits, low maintenance gardens.
Based on this, it seems Tolmac pays close attention to even the finer points of each job, which we think is a very important trait in construction. As they say, the devil’s in the details.
If you want to confirm this for yourself, you can check out some of their featured projects to get a feel of their style and gauge if that style fits yours.
Tolmac’s safety and management systems have even been accredited by and certified to ISO 9001:2015 and SAFE T CERT respectively.
Pros
- Great residential project designs
- Accepts private and public projects
- Certified ISO 9001:2015 on management system
- Safety management system accredited
Cons
- Has 1 branch only
- Occasionally difficult to contact due to their popularity
4. Capital Construction
| SERVICES | Renovations, attic conversions, fitouts, extensions, carpentry, ground works, interior decorating, remodelling |
| WEBSITE | https://www.capitalconstruction.ie/ |
| ADDRESS | Fitzwilliam Hall, Fitzwilliam Pl, Dublin 2, D02 T292, Ireland |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +353 87 436 0200 [email protected] |
One of the things we always check in construction companies is their portfolio. It’s a great indication of the quality (or lack of it) of their output.
We like what we saw when we checked out Capital Construction’s. Interestingly enough, they may be a full service construction company, but we think their work on attic and loft conversions and extensions were what stood out.
You know how attics can be dark, unused areas, right? From what we’ve seen, they can transform this (sort of) spooky space into a useful, bright room.
If not for the sloped ceilings, we could hardly tell they used to be attics. That’s significant, as attic conversion isn’t just creatively challenging but also structurally so: it can affect the integrity of your house.
Those interested in working with them for this or some other construction task can call for home consultations. If you already have a completed plan but still have some questions, they can also give advice for free too.
It’s also worth noting that we like companies driven by referrals like Capital Construction. Makes it easier to verify that what the company delivers makes customers happy!
We just wish their services extended beyond the Kildare area and greater Dublin.
Pros
- Experts in attic and loft conversion, extension and renovation
- Home consultation and virtual appointment available
- Free loft plan
- Free advice on completed plans
Cons
- Services in greater Dublin and Kildare area only
- More suited to small and residential projects
Customer Reviews
These happy customers are willing to recommend Capital Constructions to everyone:
“An amazing company and very skilled carpenters with straightforward and honest pricing. They’ve done an amazing job for us on time and within budget. Delighted with the work and great value for money. Will highly recommend your company to all looking for carpenters in Dublin.” – Emena Group, Google Reviews
“Any building project can be very stressful , so it’s refreshing to deal with a company that gives straightforward advice and keeps you in the loop from start to finish, I would have no hesitation in recommending capital construction, they were professional knowledgeable & efficient, , the project was finished ahead of schedule and I couldn’t be happier with the finished product.” – Dennise Green, Google Reviews
“Thanks Mark for the excellent job you did on the bespoke wardrobe in my daughter’s bedroom, she loves it ! I look forward to working with you on my other daughter’s bedroom in 2020.” – Séverine Lefeuvre, Website Review
5. Weslin Construction Limited
| SERVICES | Commercial and residential buildings, restoration, refurbishment, civil engineering consultancy, industrial warehouses and factories |
| WEBSITE | https://weslin.ie/ |
| ADDRESS | Ringwood Centre, Unit 4, Damastown Cl, Damastown, Dublin, Ireland |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +353 1 826 1122 [email protected] |
Weslin Construction Limited has spent just over 10 years operating in a broad range of sectors: residential, commercial, industrial, financial, and education.
They are still growing, increasing their experience and expertise that covers other construction disciplines in both minor and major projects.
What captured our interest is their civil engineering work. That’s not really a surprise because they are essentially civil engineering contractors.
They have done civil infrastructure and engineering developments across Ireland. For example, they did the Wooden Bridge in Bull Island.
It involved work that we think displays their refurbishment and civil engineering skills. But doing this without closing the bridge to pedestrian traffic is the icing on the cake for us.
We take that as a sign of careful planning, which is critical in construction work that abuts spaces people occupy and use. It certainly minimizes the chances of accidents!
By the way, they have time lapse videos of their projects online that you might find interesting. And like the other companies we’ve listed here, Weslin has certifications that guarantee the quality of their systems.
Pros
- Experts on civil engineering works
- With quality certifications
- Certified for safety and environmental management system
- Accepts minor and major projects
Cons
- Not a full service company
- Operating hours not listed on website
Customer Reviews
Take a look at some of Weslin’s clients testimonials:
“We found Weslin’s directors and site management to be highly professional in the works they completed and in doing so providing a friendly, practical and flexible approach to serving the needs of the Bank. Weslin are also competitive, reliable and H&S conscious.” – Henry O’Donnell, Infrastructure Procurement Manager, Bank Of Ireland, Website Review
“Weslin Construction has worked on behalf of Dublin Port for a number of years successfully completing a variety of projects within a live busy port environment. I would have no hesitation when recommending Weslin Construction as a competitive, reliable, and health & safety conscious contractor.” – Eamon McElroy, Chief Engineer, Dublin Port Company, Website Review
6. Vital Construction Limited
| SERVICES | Renovations Extensions Restoration Insurance and Repairs |
| WEBSITE | https://vitalconstruction.ie/ |
| ADDRESS | Santry, Dublin 9 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | 087 6666610 | [email protected] |
Vital Construction Limited is not your typical construction company. Unlike other companies, they have over 40 years of experience in the construction industry, including commercial and residential renovation, extensions, restorations, and new builds.
ever since 2002, they have worked with all major insurance companies and loss adjusters in the Dublin area as specialist insurance repair contractors. They will work directly with you in managing the restoration.
What makes them even more trustworthy is that they are a member of the National Guild of Master Tradesmen. In addition to this, their plumbing and insulation experts are SEAI approved as well.
We definitely recommend them because of their incomparable high level of professionalism and expertise.
No matter what project you have in mind, let them know about it and they can help you make it come to life.
Even if you only need some advice about where to start, they would be more than happy to hear from you!
Pros
- Free quote
- Only uses high-quality materials
- Has served more than 3000 clients
Cons
- The main contractor was not mentioned
7. Monarch Contracts Ltd
| SERVICES | New Build Renovations & Refurbishments Kitchen Design & Installations Bathroom Design & Installation Extensions Attic Conversions Custom Built Furniture |
| WEBSITE | https://www.monarch.ie/ |
| ADDRESS | 43 The Orchard, Oldtown Mill, Celbridge, Co. Kildare W23X089 |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Mob: 087 172 30 26 Office: 01 910 8860 Email: [email protected] |
Monarch Contracts Ltd is a local-based company that offers various contractor services for residential, commercial, and retail establishments. Recognizing how tedious of a task it is, they enable and guide clients through their projects that do not falter when it comes to the standards of results.
From design to installation, we think they are an excellent one-stop-shop solution due not only to their multi-disciplinary team but also their diverse network of connections in the construction industry.
We find their communication and updating system to be very substantial and is among the keys of success when it comes to working together with clients and assuring a smooth project with them as well.
Able to create new builds or produce equally durable and in-theme extensions, clients can be assured that they offer individuals who have the technical know-how and expertise to execute the job in a timely manner.
Unfortunately, no packages and rates are available on their website and past clients would recommend more improvement for their quotation services and better customer service prior to construction.
Pros
- Diverse connections in the industry
- Quotation available
- Durable and innovative systems
Cons
- Rates unavailable
Customer Reviews
Here are some reviews from their clients:
“Top quality workmanship with the very professional Stuart as project manager.”
“Had some renovation work done recently by Stuart and team and we are delighted with everything over all. Everything from a clean house to communication!”
What Makes a Successful Construction Project?
There are three basic things that must be met by your construction company so your project can be considered a success:
1. When the project meets the given standards
Your construction project starts with your decision to build something—a house, a building, an apartment.
Although it’s usually with the help of a consultant or an architect, it’s ultimately you who will have the final say on how it would look.
When you see the standard you have set has been met, then you could say the project is a success.
2. When it has been finished on time
This is where most projects often fail.
There are many things that can make a project drag on far longer than the allotted time frame. Things like natural disasters, communication gaps, unreliable workers, permit delays and government approvals.
All these must be included when setting the deadline.
But what you can do on your end is to be sure if the design is what you really want.
Additional requests or changes in the middle of the construction will surely push back the target completion date.
3. When it has been finished within the budget
It’s not just the deadline that will be affected by such changes, but your budget too.
There’s usually a premium or added fees for requests not included in the agreed plan. So if you don’t want your budget to suffer, finalise the details before starting.
Remember, your builder can deliver only if you’re sure of what you really want.
FAQs about Construction Companies in Dublin
We know construction is serious business and we’re pretty sure you have tons of questions about hiring a construction company.
Below, we have answered some of the most common questions often asked by people planning to put up a house or any structure:
We hope we’ve made choosing the best construction companies in Dublin a bit easier for you.
Do you know of other companies that deserve to be included in our list? We’d love to hear it!
If it’s plumbing repair you need and not construction, you can check out our list of the best plumbers in Dublin.